Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A great new
showcase for the music of Alex Puddu – the contemporary groover who's given us
some wonderful music over the years – including his famous Golden Age Of Danish
Pornography sets! This album's more of a back-to-basics affair for Puddu –
recorded with a tight combo, and a very classic approach to mod jazz and funk –
performed by a group that's very heavy on keyboards alongside sweet riffing
guitar from Alex! The sound is tight, but never too smooth – and there's a few
additional horns thrown into the mix, to augment the top end alongside the
guitar, clavinet, Hammond, and Fender Rhodes – all with a sweet blend that's
almost got a 70s blacksploitation vibe at times, but a bit looser and more
spontaneous too. Puddu wrote, arranged, and produced – and most cuts are
instrumental, but a few feature vocals from singer Duane Hobson. Titles include
"Sexy Lady", "You Got Me Funky", "Such A Bad
Girl", "Black Sugar", "Love Rollercoaster",
"Losing My Mind", and "Feel The Heat". ~ Dusty Groove

BARRY
ALTSHCUL’S 3DOM FACTOR – TALES OF THE UNFORSEEN

A tremendous
trio outing, and a record that really illustrates the newfound strength we've
heard from drummer Barry Altschul in recent years – music so great, it's almost
as if he's taken a time machine back to the groundbreaking days of his youth!
The play on "freedom" in the trio's name is no joke – as a good part
of the album features improvised compositions, mixed with very freewheeling
takes on a few other jazz numbers – balanced beautifully between melodic
elements and rhythmic progressions, served up very equally from Barry on drums
and percussion, Joe Fonda on bass, and the mighty Jon Irabagon on tenor,
soprano, sopranino sax, and flute! Fonda's presence is especially great – as he
plays here with a really soulful, deep-toned quality that holds things together
even at their most dynamic, individual moments – and titles include "As
The Tale Begins", "Annette's Tale Of Miracles", "And The
Tale Ends", and "A Drummer's Tale". ~ Dusty Groove

DOUG WEBB –
BACK EAST

Tenorist
Doug Webb jumps into the fray right from the very first note on this excellent
set – a further continuation of his recent development as both a soloist and
writer! Webb's got a style that's deeply classic, yet very personal too – not
just a rehash of older tenor modes, but a way of drawing on their depth, and
refocusing it into these surprisingly nimble lines – beautifully rhythmic
passages that have the tonal colors really lighting up along the way – as
Doug's horn resonates strongly with the piano lines from Peter Zak, over the
more than able rhythms from Ben Wolfe on bass and Rudy Royston on drums! The
whole record's got a simple, understated power that comes across very well on
first listen – and only seems to delight more and more upon repeated spins –
and titles include the Webb originals "Back East", "Sally's
Song", "RDW Esq", "Stanley", "Mr Green", and
"Snicker's Lament". ~ Dusty Groove